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Traceability

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Animal disease traceability is knowing where diseased and at-risk animals are,

where they have been, and when is important to ensuring a rapid response when

animal disease events take place.

Although animal disease traceability does not prevent disease, an efficient and

accurate traceability system reduces the number of animals and response time

involved in a disease investigation. This, in turn, reduces the economic impact on

owners and affected communities.

Overarching Goals To Increase Traceability

A comprehensive animal disease traceability system is our best protection against a

devastating disease outbreak. USDA is committed to implementing a modern system

that tracks animals from birth to slaughter using affordable technology that allows

for quick tracing of sick and exposed animals to stop disease spread. In September

2018, USDA established four overarching goals to increase traceability. These goals

are: 

Advance the electronic sharing of data among Federal and State animal health

officials, veterinarians, and industry, including sharing basic animal disease
traceability data with the Federal animal health events repository;

Use electronic identification tags for animals requiring individual identification

in order to make the transmission of data more efficient;

Enhance the ability to track animals from birth to slaughter through a system

that allows tracking data points to be connected; and

Elevate the discussion with States and industry to work toward a system where

animal health certificates are electronically transmitted from private

veterinarians to State animal health officials.

Final Rule: Traceability for Livestock Moving

Interstate

On January 9, 2013, USDA published a final rule (9 CFR 86) titled "Traceability for

Livestock Moving Interstate." The rule establishes requirements for the official

identification of livestock and documentation for certain interstate movements of

livestock.

Specifically, unless exempted, livestock belonging to species covered by the

regulations that are moved interstate must:

Be officially identified, and

Be accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or

other movement document.

Livestock species covered under this rule include cattle and bison, horses and other

equine species, poultry, sheep and goats, swine, and captive cervids.

Official identification and movement documentation is essential to tracing livestock

when disease is found. More information about this rule and exemptions can be

found below under "Program Documents and Information."

Resources

How To Obtain a PIN or LID in Your State 

A premises identification number (PIN) or location identifier (LID) is a unique code

permanently assigned to a physical location and is required to purchase official

animal identification tags. Each State administers PIN or LID registration. Learn
more.

Interstate Animal Movement Requirements 

Find quick, accurate access to State import requirements for livestock.

How To Become an AIN Device Manager 

(PDF, 279.28 KB)

Want to become an animal identification number (AIN) device manager? Download

this document to learn how.

Program Documents and Information

ADT Trace Performance Metric Report (2013–2022) (297.78 KB)

APHIS Statement on Animal Disease Traceability (61.67 KB)

"Slow Burn:" An Endemic Disease Trace Story Video and Workbook (994.53 KB)

Summary of Final Rule Revisions From Proposed Rule (116.91 KB)

Animal Disease Traceability Final Rule Q&A (79.71 KB)

ADT Rule 2013: Interstate Movement Requirements for Cattle (138.11 KB)

ADT Monitoring and Compliance Overview (104.2 KB) and Guidelines (1.11 MB)

Approved Livestock Markets

State Road Maps: Traceability Implementation Plans

The following States, Territories, and Tribal Nations are cooperators with USDA for

the implementation of the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program. As part of the

cooperative agreement with USDA, cooperators provide ADT Road Maps to reflect

their long-term plan and approach for implementing the ADT. These reports are

provided below.

Alabama (307.91 KB)

Alaska (421.92 KB)

Arkansas (451.82 KB)

California (417.1 KB)

Colorado (410.43 KB)

Connecticut (362.04 KB)

Delaware (396.22 KB)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (336.29 KB)
Florida (361.77 KB)

Georgia (331.16 KB)

Hawaii (594.29 KB)

Idaho (380.37 KB)

Illinois (312.35 KB)

Indiana (337.28 KB)

Iowa (576.09 KB)

Kansas (239.66 KB)

Kentucky (980.72 KB)

Louisiana (388.36 KB)

Maine (175.04 KB)

Massachusetts (443.26 KB)

Maryland (346.3 KB)

Michigan (376.88 KB)

Minnesota (1.18 MB)

Mississippi (381.59 KB)

Missouri (338.87 KB)

Montana (365.54 KB)

Nebraska (450.52 KB)

Nevada (317.31 KB)

New Jersey (494.89 KB)

New Mexico (433.97 KB)

New York (401.52 KB)

North Carolina (445.13 KB)

North Dakota (437.27 KB)

Ohio (355.41 KB)

Oklahoma (860.18 KB)

Oregon (347.22 KB)

Pennsylvania (501.14 KB)

Rhode Island (321.18 KB)

South Carolina (985.04 KB)

South Dakota (344.25 KB)

Tennessee (372.18 KB)

Texas (507.67 KB)

Utah (342.87 KB)

Vermont (343.96 KB)

Virginia (387.48 KB)
Washington (1.08 MB)

West Virginia (317.33 KB)

Wisconsin (442.66 KB)

Puerto Rico (442.13 KB)

U.S. Virgin Islands (371.22 KB)

Advancing Traceability

Summary of Program Reviews and Proposed Directions From State-Federal

Working Group (1.7 MB)

Animal Disease Traceability Assessment Report (122.7 KB)

Executive Summary (47.23 KB)

Information on Approved Identification Devices

ADT General Standards (1.52 MB)

UHF Interim Tag Data Standards (921.6 KB)

Official Eartags: General Criteria and Options (882.33 KB)

Approved Animal Identification Number (AIN) Devices (1.4 MB)

Approved National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (206.08 KB)

Approved Premises Identification Number (PIN) Devices for Swine (228.33 KB)

Ultra-High Radio Frequency Identification: Demonstration Projects 

Executive Summary (193.73 KB)

Summary and State Reports (1.4 MB)

Species-Specific Guides to Identifying Livestock Moved Interstate

Summary of Traceability Requirements by Species (136.79 KB)

Cattle and Bison (45.4 KB)

Horses and Other Equines (42.53 KB)

Sheep and Goats

Swine (50.29 KB)

Poultry (41.81 KB)

Contact Us
For more information on the ADT program, email us at traceability@usda.gov. We

also encourage you to contact your State animal health official to learn more about

your State's traceability activities and requirements.

Related References

APHIS Veterinary Services District Offices

Locate an Accredited Veterinarian